April 23rd, 2015

A simple method and biocompatible solvents have been used in the production of the fibers, which reduce environmental pollution. In addition to textile, the fibers have applications in the production of carbon fibers with higher quality.
Dr. Shayan Mahmoudiyan, one of the Iranian researchers, stated that the aim of the research was to produce nanocomposite fibers of recycled cellulose/clay nanoparticles to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of recycled cellulose fibers.
“Recycled cellulose fibers are used in the production of carbon fibers. Therefore, another objective of this research was to produce recycled cellulose nanocomposite fibers with higher percentage of carbon to increase the quantity and quality of the produced carbon fibers. Carbon fibers are among engineering fibers and they have numerous applications in composite, aerospace, automobile manufacturing, construction, sports and bioengineering,” he added.
Among the most important achievements of the research, mention can be made of increasing tensile strength and Young’s module as well as increasing the thermal resistance and the amount of carbon left due to the application of clay nanoparticles in the production of cellulose fibers.
In this method, no new stage is added to the production process because nanoparticles joined the cellulose solution during the production process. In addition, clay nanoparticles are cheap. Therefore, this method decreases the time and cost of the production process. Since this method increases the efficiency of the produced fibers, it seems that the project can be commercialized too.
Results of the research have been published in Journal of Materials Science, vol. 50, issue 3, 2015, pp. 1228-1236.